Ep 15. Stealing First Base

Marge takes center stage in The Simpsons season 21 episode 15, entitled Stealing First Base. When her daughter Lisa's dream causes the entire family to get sucked into a baseball game, Marge finds herself struggling with memories of her own high school experiences - and the realization that she might have to confront a former flame. With clever nods to movies like The Natural and Bull Durham, as well as classic TV shows like The Twilight Zone, this episode is a hilarious exploration of high school love, adult persistence, and the joys of family bonding.

As the episode begins, Lisa is heartbroken when she learns that her crush, a cute new transfer student named Nick, is more interested in the school's star softball pitcher than in her. In an effort to impress him and prove her love, Lisa decides to join the softball team and try to win the championship game. Meanwhile, Marge, who has been feeling neglected by Homer's constant workaholic tendencies, decides to take up the role of team mom and support her daughter's dreams, even though she has never been much of a sports fanatic.

However, things take a bizarre turn when Lisa's dream about the championship game becomes a reality, and the Simpsons family is transported onto the field in the middle of a real softball game. As they struggle to figure out what is happening, Marge is horrified to discover that the opposing team's coach is her old high school boyfriend, Artie Ziff. Artie, who was obsessed with Marge in high school and made repeated attempts to win her heart, is now a sleazy businessman who uses his coaching gig to impress women and make shady business deals.

Despite her reservations, Marge finds herself drawn back into Artie's orbit, as he appeals to her nostalgia for their shared past and insists that he has changed his ways. Meanwhile, Lisa struggles to compete in the game, even with the help of her family, and Nick begins to show more interest in her as she displays her determination and strength on the field.

As the championship game draws to a close, Marge must make a choice between her present life with Homer and her past love with Artie. Along the way, the episode takes numerous comic detours, including Homer's attempts to understand the rules of softball, Bart's hilariously morbid predictions for the outcome of the game, and a surreal Twilight Zone-esque twist that brings the game to a dramatic conclusion.

Overall, The Simpsons season 21 episode 15 is a funny and heartfelt look at the complexities of love, family, and growing up. With its mix of pop culture references and clever character development, the episode is a standout in the long-running series and a testament to the show's enduring appeal. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, Stealing First Base is sure to make you laugh, cry, and cheer along with the Simpsons family.